nysepost.com

Russia's fighter jet intercepts U.S. aircraft over Black Sea

"The fifth of November 2018 American plane EP-3 Aries flying in worldwide airspace over the Black sea, was intercepted by a Russian su-27".

"For the Russian fighter aircraft to fly this close to the U.S. Navy aircraft, especially for extended periods of time, is unsafe".

As noted in the U.S. Navy, EP-3 Aries acted in accordance with worldwide law and did not provoke such Russian activities.

The interception lasted roughly 25 minutes.

In a statement, the U.S. Navy said their plane had to apply its afterburner after the first pass and faced turbulence and vibrations.

The US Navy released video of the incident which clearly shows the Su-27 sharply turning in front of the plane with its engines blaring.

After the first flight of Russian su-27 in front of the American reconnaissance aircraft EP-3 Aries a crew of United States felt the turbulence, after the second vibration noted in the U.S. Navy in Europe and Africa. - We hope that [henceforth] they will behave in accordance with worldwide standards to ensure safety and prevent incidents, including the 1972 Agreement on the prevention of incidents at sea and airspace above it (INCSEA).

"There's just absolutely no reason for this type of behavior", said Pahon, who noted that the American aircraft was flying a routine mission in global airspace "and the Russian aircraft kind of came out of nowhere and did not one, but two passes close to our aircraft". In that case, an Su-27 "buzzed" another EP-3 Aries - passing within just 1.5m.

While the Russian military is within its right to exercise within worldwide airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. It approached the aircraft at a safe distance and identified it as an EP-3E Aries signals reconnaissance version of the US Navy.

At the time, the US State Department accused the Russians of "flagrantly violating existing agreements and global law".